Roof water diverter

ABSTRACT

A water diverter for easy installation on a roof, the diverter comprising a base and one or more protruding ridges extending above the surface of the base. An upper edge of the base is inserted under shingles, and spaced-apart holes along the upper edge of the base receive nails or screws for securing the water diverter on the roof. The angled ridges divert water runoff on a roof away from entryways, doors, and window openings below the roof. The ridge on a first embodiment forms an inverted V-shape, on a second embodiment the ridge extends upward linearly along a first angle, with respect to the bottom edge, and on a third embodiment the ridge extends downward linearly along a second angle with respect to the bottom edge. The water diverter is formed in a mold using plastic material or it may be formed be bending a sheet of metal to form the ridge extending above the base area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for preventing water from dripping over a doorway or window and in particular to a water diverter which is easily installed on a shingled roof.

2. Description of Prior Art

The use of gutters is well known in the prior art. Gutters are typically installed on the edge of a roof to route water coming off the roof to a drain pipe and then down to the ground.

Other techniques of diverting water over a doorway are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,068 issued Aug. 5, 1997 to Ben A. Moody et al. which describes a water diverting strip adapted to extend outwardly over the entrance of a doorway. However, this dividing strip is structured to be affixed within a door jam ad to have a trough that extends beyond the door jamb which may interfere with opening and closing the door.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,361 issued Oct. 21, 1997 to Alan F. Bair discloses a protruding ridge-type rain diverter which is attached to a foldable roof of a tent or canopy and positioned above the doorway or windows. One end of the rain diverter is lower on the foldable roof than the other end and two rain diverters may be used with their high ends adjacent to each other forming an inverted V over a door opening. However, the rain diverters are attached to the roof during fabrication of the tent by sewing, gluing, chemical welding, thermal bonding, or electronic welding. A retaining tube has to be inserted in a pocket within the diverter strip to maintain rigidity of the strip for directing water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a water diverter that easily installs on a roof.

It is another object of this invention to provide a water diverter made of plastic material comprising an integral base and water diverting ridge.

It is a further object of this invention to provide several embodiments of a water diverter each of which diverts the flow of water in a predetermined direction or directions.

It is another object of this invention to provide a water diverter by bending a sheet of metal to form a ridge to divert the flow of water on a roof.

These and other objects are further accomplished by a water diverter for a roof comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of the base for mounting the water diverter to the roof, and the base comprises a ridge extending above the surface of the base having a first end, a center apex point and a second end, the first end and the second end being positioned on the base below the center apex point. The water diverter comprises plastic material. The water diverter may also comprise a metallic material.

These objects are further accomplished by a water diverter for a roof comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of the base for mounting the water diverter to the roof, the base comprises a ridge having a first end and a second end, the second end being positioned on the base above the first end. The water diverter comprises plastic material. The water diverter may also comprise a metallic material.

These objects are further accomplished by a water diverter for a roof comprising a base, a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of the base for mounting the water diverter to the roof, and the base comprises a ridge having a first end and a second end, the second end being positioned below the first end. The water diverter comprises plastic material. The water diverter may also comprise a metallic material.

These objects are further accomplished by a water diverter for a roof comprising a first base, the first base being formed having a ridge extending above a plane of the first base, the ridge having a first end lower on the base than a second end, a second base, the second base being formed having a ridge extending above a plane of the second base, the ridge having a first end higher on the base that a second end, and the first base and the second base being joined to each other wherein the second end of the first base overlaps and attaches to the first end of the second base. The first base and the second base comprise a metallic material. The second end of the first base overlaps and attaches to the first end of the second base by fastening means including rivets. The second end of the first base overlaps and attaches to the first end of the second base by solder when the base material includes copper.

These objects are further accomplished by a method of providing a water diverter for a roof comprising the steps of providing a mold for receiving a plastic material, the mold comprises a first area for forming a base and a second area for forming a ridge on the base, and extending the ridge above the surface of the base, the ridge having a first end, a center apex point and a second end, the first end and the second end being positioned on the base below the center apex point. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of the base for mounting the diverter to the roof.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended claims particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of this invention. The various objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will be more fully apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a roof water diverter according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water diverter mounted on a roof above an entrance door according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first alternate embodiment of a roof water diverter;

FIG. 4 is a is a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment of a roof water diverter;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the roof water diverter of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third alternate embodiment of a roof water diverter having a ridge formed by bending a metallic base; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the roof water diverter of FIG. 6 taken along lines 7-7.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a top plan view of a roof water diverter 10 according to the present invention is shown comprising a base 14, an inverted V-shaped ridge 16 extending above the plane of the base 14 which diverts water either left or right as water passes over the base 14. A plurality of holes 13 are provided along an upper edge of the base 14 for receiving nails or screws for securing the water diverter 10 under shingles of a roof 12 (FIG. 2). Three holes 9 are provided on the lower edge of the base 14 for receiving nails or screws for added security of the water diverter 10 on a roof. The inverted V-shaped ridge 16 comprises a center apex 17, a first end 15 and a second end 19 whereby the first end 15 and the second end 19 are positioned lower on the base 14 than the apex point 17 in the horizontal plane of the base 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the water diverter 10 of FIG. 1 is shown mounted on a roof 12 above an entrance door 18 according to the present invention. An upper edge of the base 14 of the water diverter 10 is inserted under a row of shingles above an entrance door 18 and nails or screws are inserted along the upper edge of the base 14 into the roof 12. Likewise, the holes 9 on the lower edge of the base 14 receive nails or screws. Water rolling down the roof 12 hits the raised ridge 16 which is typically 2.5 inches to 3.0 inches high, and is diverted to the ends of the base 14 where it continues down the roof and off the edge of the roof or into a gutter, but the water does not fall into the doorway area.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top plan view of a first alternate embodiment of a roof diverter 20 is shown comprising a base 22, a ridge 24 extending upward approximately 2.5-3.0 inches away from the plane of the base 22, and positioned at an angle of approximately 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis passing through ridge end 23 parallel to the bottom edge of the plane of the base 22. Other diverting angles are feasible depending on designer's choice and width of the area over a doorway, for example, being protected from dripping water. This water diverter 20 causes water to be diverted to only the left side of the water diverter 20. A plurality of holes 26 are provided along an upper edge of the base 22 to receive nails or screws to secure the water diverter 20 under a row of shingles on a roof 12. A few holes 27 are provided on a lower edge of the base 22 for further securing the water diverter 20 on a roof.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment of a roof water diverter 30 is shown comprising a base 32, a ridge 34 extending upward approximately 2.5-3.0 inches away from the plane of the base 32, and positioned at an angle of approximately 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis passing through ridge end 33 parallel to the bottom edge of the plane of the base 32. This water diverter 30 causes water to be diverted to only the right side of the water diverter 30. Other diverting angles are feasible depending on designer's choice and width of the area over a door, for example, being protected from dripping water. A plurality of holes 36 are provided along an upper edge of the base 32 to receive nails or screws to secure the water diverter 30 under a row of shingles on a roof. A few holes 37 are provided on a lower edge of the base 32 for further securing the water diverter 30 on a roof.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the roof water diverter 10 of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5-5. The base 14 comprises mounting hole 13 along an upper edge of the base 14. The embodiment in FIG. 5 is made of a plastic material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The water diverter 10 in FIG. 1 is made from plastic material in a mold that produces the base 14, and the ridge 16 extending above base 14. The approximate dimensions of a typical embodiment of the roof water diverter 10 are as follows: the base 14 is fourteen (14) inches long and five (5) inches wide, and the ridge extends approximately 2.5-3.0 inches above the base 14.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, FIG. 6 shows a third alternate embodiment of a roof water diverter 40 comprising two base sections 42 a, 42 b which overlap each other on adjacent sides 41 and are secured by rivets 47, if they are made of aluminum. If the base sections 42 a, 42 b are made of copper, they can be soldered together, and no rivets are needed. Each base, 42 a, 42 b comprises a ridge 44 a, 44 b formed by bending the metallic bases 42 a and 42 b first upward and then downward, forming inverted V-shaped ridges 44 a, 44 b.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the roof water diverter 40 of FIG. 6 taken along lines 7-7. The ridges 44 a, 44 b are typically 2.5-3.0 inches high above the bases 42 a, 42 b although other heights are equally applicable. Following the formation of the ridges 44 a, 44 b, the edges of bases 42 a, 42 b affected by the bending to form ridges 44 a, 44 b may be trimmed to square-off the side and bottom edges of each base 42 a, 42 b. A plurality of holes 48 a, 48 b are provided along an upper edge of the base to receive nails or screws to secure the water diverter 30 under a row of shingles on a roof 12. As shown in the other embodiments, a few holes 49 are provided on a lower edge of the bases 42 a, 42 b for further securing the water diverter 40 on a roof. The roof water diverter 40 may be embodied with various metals such as lead coated copper, 16 oz. copper bronzed aluminum, and galvanized metals.

This invention has been disclosed in terms of certain embodiments. It will be apparent that many modifications can be made to the disclosed apparatus without departing from the invention. Therefore, it is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A water diverter for a roof comprising: a base; a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of said base for mounting said water diverter to said roof; and said base comprises a ridge extending above the surface of said base having a first end, a center apex point and a second end, said first end and said second end being positioned on said base below said center apex point.
 2. The water diverter for a roof as recited in claim 1 wherein said water diverter comprises plastic material.
 3. The water diverter as recited in claim 1 wherein said water diverter comprises a metallic material.
 4. A water diverter for a roof comprising: a base; a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of said base for mounting said water diverter to said roof; said base comprises a ridge having a first end and a second end, said second end being positioned on said base above said first end.
 5. The water diverter for a roof as recited in claim 1 wherein water diverter comprises plastic material.
 6. The water diverter as recited in claim 1 wherein said water diverter comprises a metallic material.
 7. A water diverter for a roof comprising: a base; a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of said base for mounting said water diverter to said roof; and said base comprises a ridge having a first end and a second end, said second end being positioned below said first end.
 8. The water diverter for a roof as recited in claim 1 wherein said water diverter comprises plastic material.
 9. The water diverter as recited in claim 1 wherein said water diverter comprises a metallic material.
 10. A water diverter for a roof comprising: a first base; said first base being formed having a ridge extending above a plane of said first base, said ridge having a first end lower on said base than a second end; a second base; said second base being formed having a ridge extending above a plane of said second base, said ridge having a first end higher on said base that a second end; and said first base and said second base being joined to each other wherein said second end of said first base overlaps and attaches to said first end of said second base.
 11. The water diverter as recited in claim 10 wherein said first base and said second base comprise a metallic material.
 12. The water diverter as recited in claim 10 wherein said second end of said first base overlaps and attaches to said first end of said second base by fastening means including rivets.
 13. The water diverter as recited in claim 10 wherein said second end of said first base overlaps and attaches to said first end of said second base by solder when said base material includes copper.
 14. A method of providing a water diverter for a roof comprising the steps of: providing a mold for receiving a plastic material, said mold comprises a first area for forming a base and a second area for forming a ridge on said base; and extending said ridge above the surface of said base, said ridge having a first end, a center apex point and a second end, said first end and said second end being positioned on said base below said center apex point.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein said method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of spaced-apart holes along at least one edge of said base for mounting said diverter to said roof. 